Adolescent Adversity and Long-Run Health

67 Pages Posted: 30 Jun 2014 Last revised: 18 Nov 2014

See all articles by Jie Gong

Jie Gong

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Business Policy

Yi Lu

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics

Huihua Xie

National University of Singapore (NUS)

Date Written: August 2014

Abstract

A central question in human development is what causes health inequalities over the life cycle. We link a harsh environment in the teen years to individuals' health conditions almost 40 years later, and employ Regression Discontinuity Design to make a causal inference between adolescent adversity and long-term health. Specifically, we exploit the mandatory "send-down" policy during China's Cultural Revolution, in which millions of urban youths were forced to move to rural areas. We find that rusticated youths were more likely to develop chronic diseases and mental problems. These effects are similar across gender, but stronger for individuals with fewer siblings.

Keywords: Adolescent environment, health, China

Suggested Citation

Gong, Jie and Lu, Yi and Xie, Huihua, Adolescent Adversity and Long-Run Health (August 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2460350 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2460350

Jie Gong (Contact Author)

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Business Policy ( email )

15 Kent Ridge Drive, Mochtar Riady Build
Singapore 117591, 119245
Singapore

Yi Lu

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics ( email )

1 Arts Link, AS2 #06-02
Singapore 117570, Singapore 119077
Singapore
65-65166834 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://ylu6.weebly.com

Huihua Xie

National University of Singapore (NUS) ( email )

1E Kent Ridge Road
NUHS Tower Block Level 7
Singapore, 119228
Singapore

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